3 ms·

It was if it was an IBM machine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_BASIC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_BASIC

• BeetleB 1mo ago
  Yes, but most people bought IBM Compatibles, not IBM. I don't think I know anyone who bought an actual IBM PC.
  • themadturk 1mo ago
    Cassette BASIC was exclusive to early IBM PCs, XTs and PC Jrs. PCs like Compaq's, with their very, very compatible BIOS, didn't have BASIC in ROM.
    • BeetleB 1mo ago
      I had an XT. Not IBM. It had BASIC ROM. Everyone I know who had an XT (8088 or 8086) had BASIC in the ROM. None was IBM and all were different companies. I don't think Compaq even made XTs, did they?
      • themadturk 1mo ago
        Actually (and I'm being pedantic here, I admit), only IBM made an XT, the others were all XT-clones or compatibles. And you could get a compatible ROM that contained BASIC. I also owned a non-IBM XT clone, which did not have BASIC in ROM.